Order in your Christmas food

Cheat your way through the holidays with these takeaways

By
Oliver Robinson
14 December 2011

Cool weather, magnificent sunshine and plenty to do – Dubai is a great place to spend Christmas. But if, like us, your relatives have caught on to this, you might be facing an unwelcome influx of family members and the daunting task of cooking everyone Christmas dinner.

But why work yourself into a festive fluster with a last-minute dash to the supermarket and a horribly singed turkey? Since so many of us here in Dubai love eating but not necessarily the legwork that precedes it, a number of venues around town are offering tasty Christmas takeaway and delivery services, so that you only need to make a few phone calls, leaving you free to concentrate on important matters such as putting together a yuletide playlist or choosing what classic Bond movies to watch.

To make things even easier, we’ve picked out and tasted some of the more interesting dishes on offer (so you don’t get too tired of turkey) for your dining pleasure. Good tidings (and recommendations) we bring, to you and your kin.

The Fairmont DubaiThe ever-reliable purveyor of turkey treats has been offering a festive take-home menu since the middle of November and will continue to do so until December 27 (just in case you wake up on December 25 having forgotten it’s Christmas). Dishes include alternative treats such as chilled Gulf prawns with pumpernickel bread, imported cheeses, and fillet of smoked salmon with traditional condiments. In terms of dessert, there are freshly baked treats such as shortbread, Christmas cookies, gingerbread houses and yule logs.How much?There are three turkeys on offer, the smallest costing Dhs595 (serving eight to 10), followed by Dhs695 (serves 10 to 12), and Dhs795 (serves 12 to 15). Gulf prawns with pumpernickel cost Dhs215 (for 12), and fillet of smoked salmon costs Dhs450 (serves 10).When should I order?Orders must be placed 48 hours in advance.Where?The Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, fbconcierge.dubai@fairmont.com (04 311 8316)

The Address Dubai MarinaFinish off your Christmas feast with a selection of fine festive desserts from Kambaa at The Address Dubai Marina. Everything from marzipan stollen to panettone to mince pies to whole gingerbread houses can be purchased.How much?Prices range from Dhs15 for small chocolate figurines to Dhs22 per large mince pie, or Dhs210 for a ready-made festive gingerbread house.When should I order?All items can be bought on the day.

Where?Kambaa, The Address Dubai Marina (04 436 7777)

The Address Montgomerie DubaiThe Lobby at The Address Montgomerie Dubai is serving the requisite roast turkeys for the festive season, as well as fun Christmas hampers full of festive treats including Christmas tree-shaped biscuits, plump muffins, mince pies, nougat pieces, gingerbread men, a chunky slice of Christmas cake, stollen and jam. How much?A 7kg turkey costs Dhs800, while Christmas hampers start at Dhs250 (the final price depends on which items you choose to put in them). When should I order?Orders for turkeys need to be placed two weeks in advance, while hampers can be ordered up to three days in advance.Where?Place your order between 9am to 7.30pm each day and collect from The Lobby, The Address Montgomerie Dubai, Emirates Hills (04 390 5600)

Sheraton Jumeirah Beach ResortSheraton JBR executive chef Engelbert Gamsriegler is the man in charge of creating the hotel’s extensive takeaway menu, which features turkey (obviously) as well as more interesting Christmas mains: try the stuffed duck or the sugar-glazed pork ham, as well as tasty sides such as bread stuffing discs – very good indeed. There are also cold canapés, home-made gravadlax and Christmas log. The feasts are available until December 26.

How much?The 5.5kg turket (for five to seven people) turkey costs DhsDhs680, while the 800g Canadian lobster costs Dhs325. There’s also home-made goose liver terrine (Dhs560 for 800g), and 1kg of smoked duck breast for Dhs365. The traditional yule log comes in three flavours (dark chocolate, white chocolate or hazelnut) and two sizes: Dhs90 (700g) or Dhs190 (1kg). When should I order?Orders must be placed 72 hours in advance.

Dubai Marriott Harbour HotelWe were astounded by the size of this turkey when it arrived on Time Out’s doorstep, and were equally impressed that its juicy flavour and succulent stuffing were preserved nicely. The trimmings are also impressive – perfectly roasted potatoes, crunchy steamed vegetables (sprouts, cauliflower, carrots and broccoli), and gravy. In fact, there’s so much food here, it would be wise to enlist the services of a circus strong man when you collect your order. But be warned: turkeys are limited, so you’ll be sorely disappointed if you leave it until last minute. As long as they don’t sell out, turkeys are available until January 10 (in case you want to celebrate Russian Christmas on January 7).How much?A 7kg turkey, with all the trimmings costs Dhs450, while a 9kg turkey costs Dhs550. The prices include accompaniments such as potatoes, veg and gravy.When should I order?Orders must be placed 48 hours in advance.

Dubai Marina Yacht ClubChef Satyadeo Marday from the Yacht Club is on hand to prepare an enormous US turkey to pass off as your own until the end of December. He’ll also be providing all the trimmings, from flavourful garlic mash to Brussels sprouts, roasted root vegetables, veal jus and cranberry sauce, as well as Christmas pudding and vanilla sauce. Those looking for an alternative main dish for Christmas Day need look no further than the succulent pork belly. What’s more, DMYC offers delivery within the city, meaning you don’t even need to leave your sofa (apart from when you answer the door).How much?A turkey with all the trimmings costs Dhs750 and will feed six to eight. Pork belly, meanwhile, costs Dhs300.When should I order?All food must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance, between 8am and 11pm. The offer ends on December 31.Where?Dubai Marina Yacht Club, Dubai Marina (04 362 7900)

Mövenpick Bur DubaiThe Café at Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai is churning out ready-made turkeys complete with home-made stuffing. There’s also Christmas cake on offer, made from ingredients that are marinated and soaked for three months in advance (there’s forward planning for you). The cake is topped with marzipan and icing and packaged in a Japanese-style furoshiki box.How much?Turkeys cost Dhs450 each (average size is 6-7kg), while Christmas cake costs Dhs90 for 500g or Dhs176 for 1kg.When should I order?Turkeys should be ordered at least 72 hours in advance, while cakes need at least 24 hours to be prepared. The offer ends on December 31.Where?Place orders for turkeys at The Café, or orders for cake at The Sweet Shop. Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai (04 336 6000)